Patent GB-339401-A (GB)
IPC: B64D1/02
Filed: 1929-09-30
Abstract: 339,401. Castro, M. Oct. 2, 1928, [Convention date]. Transferring articles to or from conveyanccs in motion. -In the transference of packages between a moving aircraft and a ground station, the apparatus carried by the aircraft comprises means for releasing a package to be collected by the receiving apparatus at the ground station and means for simultaneously picking up a package from the ground apparatus, the latter means being of a resilient nature so that the aircraft is relieved of shock due to the inertia of the load to be picked up. In the arrangement shown, the pickup and release apparatus 51, Fig. 5, is attached to the lower end of a cable 52 which is carried on a winding- drum 50 mounted on the aircraft, and an adjustable resistance to the unwinding action when a load is engaged is furnished by spring-pressed brake-shoes 103. In this way the cable 52 is automatically unwound until the package picked up has acquired the same velocity as the aircraft; subsequently, the pilot can reel in the cable by manual operation of a handle 101. In order to obviate any accident owing to the package being caught in an obstruction, the cable 52 is adapted to be released automatically from the drum 50 when its entire length is paid out. The pick-up and release apparatus 51 comprises 'a series of hook arms 89 mounted on a body or piston 85 slidable against the pressure of a spring 85a in a sleeve 79, at the lower end of which is pivoted a pair of automatic release hooks 93, 93<1> adapted to support the package to be dropped and connected by links 91, 92, 91<1>, 92<1> to two of the arms 89. In operation, one or more of the hook arms 89 is designed to engage a cable 28, Fig. 1, to which are attached the packages 27, 27<1> to be raised, the pull exerted by such engagement drawing the. arms 89, and links 91, 92, 91<1>, 92<1> downwards and disengaging the hooks, 93, 93<1> from the eve 94 of the cable carrying the package to be dropped. Fitted inside the pick-up and release apparatus are adjustable clamping jaws 75 gripping an element 64 associated with the cable 52 and adapted to effect an automatic detachment of the load should the pull exerted on the cable. 52 exceed a predetermined maximum. When it is intended that a dropping action only should be carried out, a cap 106, Fig. 9, having a sleeve portion resting on the arms 89 is fitted over these arms, thus rendering them inoperative for pick up purposes when the cable 28 is encountered. At. the ground station the cable 28 is supported between hooks 26, 26<1> at the upper ends of two telescopic standards 18, 18<1> mounted on a base member 14 which is capable of swivelling on a track 12. For the purpose of elevating the upper sections 18b, 18'b of the standards to the desired heights, they are adapted for simultaneous adjustment by means of cables 22, 22<1> passing over pulleys 21, 21<1> at the upper ends of masts 16, 16<1> and thence to a common hoisting drum 24. The catching device for the package discharged comprises a framework 19 pivoted at 20, 20<1> and having a pocket formed by spaced wire nets 37, the package finallv dropping into a lower hopper 17 either by the framework tipping completely over, or by way of a tapering opening 36 at the lower part of the framework 19. Normally the base 14 would be swivelled round until thecable 28 lies at right-angles to the direction of the wind, while searchlights 29, 29<1> or flags at: the upper ends of the standards 18, 18<1> are employed to guide the pilot of the aircraft during the night-time or day-time respectively.